Abnormal Cerebrospinal Fluid Cytology in Functional Movement Disorders

Abstract

Objective The role of inflammation and neuroimmune mechanisms, which have been documented in various neuropsychiatric disorders including the seizure subtype of functional neurological disorder, remains unclear in functional movement disorders (FMD). To explore these mechanisms, we analyzed selected inflammatory markers in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in patients with FMD. Methods We compared CSF markers in 26 patients with clinically established FMD (20 females; mean (SD) age 43.3 (10.9); disease duration 3.9 (3); range 0.1-11 years; mean follow-up after lumbar puncture 4.3 (2) years, range 0.5-7 years) and 26 sex and age-matched clinical controls with non-inflammatory non-neurodegenerative neurological disorders, mostly sleep disorders. Results 65% of FMD patients vs. 15% of controls showed cytological abnormalities (i.e., increased white blood cells (WBC) count, signs of WBC activation, or both (odds ratio (OR) = 9.85, 95% confidence interval [2.37, 52.00], p < 0.01, corrected), with a significantly higher frequency of an isolated lymphocytic activation 35% vs. 0% (OR = ∞, 95% confidence interval [2.53, ∞], p < 0.05, corrected). There were no differences in CSF protein and albumin levels, quotient albumin, IgG index, and oligoclonal bands. CSF abnormalities were not associated with more severe motor symptoms or a higher frequency of depression in FMD. Conclusions Our results suggest a possible involvement of immune mechanisms in the pathophysiology of (at least a subtype of) FMD that deserves further investigation.